Fact Sheet: People to People Cooperation
U.S.-Russian People-To-People Cooperation

People-to-People programs create direct linkages between citizens,
cities, businesses, educational and research institutions, hospitals,
and non-governmental organizations of all kinds for the purpose of
promoting understanding, sharing know-how, and developing new solutions
to common problems.

Partnerships: Currently, partnerships between American and Russian
institutions are flourishing. They include eight hospital
partnerships, 37 university partnerships, and 94 Russian-American
sister cities. More than 100 additional American-Russian community and
institutional partnerships have also been forged between local
governments, judges, businesses, professional associations, and other
non-governmental organizations. Many of these partnerships continue in
one form or another after government support has ended because those
involved find them mutually beneficial and value the strong personal
connections that have resulted.

Especially strong ties between American and Russian regions and
cities have been developed, notably between the Russian Far East and
the U.S. West Coast. In an effort to encourage more of these ties, the
U.S. Agency for International Development has begun a new $2.3 million
program that will develop U.S.-Russian partnerships to facilitate
cooperation, strengthen civil society and media, and improve the
business climate in the Russian Far East and the Volga Federal
District.

Exchanges: The United States Government sponsors a wide range of
academic and professional exchange programs through which American and
Russian participants create lasting relationships and gain valuable
insights and experience as they learn about each others? society and
culture. Under these programs, more than 50,000 Russians have visited
the United States on long- and short-term programs. In 2001, under
State Department auspices, 355 Russian high school students and 64
undergraduate students spent a full academic year in U.S. high schools
and colleges. The Fulbright Program provided two-way exchange for 54
American and 59 Russian university professors and students. The
International Visitors program enabled 365 Russian professionals and
officials to learn about American practices in their fields on
sponsored trips across the United States.

Programs that facilitate new linkages between American and Russian
businesspeople continue to create new opportunities for both
countries. Last year alone, through the State Department-sponsored
Community Connections Program and the Productivity Enhancement Program,
975 Russian entrepreneurs visited the United States to participate in
training and internships at American businesses. These business
exchanges will increase significantly this year.

Each year, hundreds of American and Russian scientists participated
in exchanges and cooperative research across such diverse scientific
fields as physics and nuclear energy, ocean studies, environment, and
health. Efforts are underway to strengthen and broaden scientific
cooperation from which both sides derive benefits.

Through the Peace Corps, 160 volunteers are providing
English-language and business education and support to schools and
institutes, entrepreneurs, organizations, professional associations,
government officials, and non-governmental organizations across
Russia. Volunteers are also helping to disseminate practical business
information, build new civic institutions, revitalize education, and
protect the environment.

Currently in its fourth year of operation, in 2002 the Open World
Russian Leadership Program at the Library of Congress will bring 2,600
young Russian leaders to the United States. Russians participants will
represent all levels of government in Russia and all of Russia's
regions. The 2002 program will focus on rule of law, education reform,
federalism, health, the environment, economic development, women as
leaders, and youth issues.

In order to facilitate people-to-people linkages, the United States
and Russia have agreed to reduce visa fees for all students, exchange
visitors, and those traveling to the United States or Russia for
vocational training. The United States and Russia are committed to
modernizing visa practices and taking other steps that will both
enhance security and facilitate legitimate travel. These significant
steps will also remove barriers to trade and investment and stimulate
economic development while protecting borders. The United States has
also begun a program that allows Russian citizens to apply for
nonimmigrant visas in cities throughout the Russian Federation. The
program will expand in the coming year to make it possible for Russian
tourists, businessmen, students, and other travelers to apply for such
visas more easily. Already, this program has enhanced people-to-people
linkages at the regional and local levels.

Access to Information: Through the U.S. Agency for International
Development and the Department of State, the United States Government
continues to support the development of Russian independent print and
broadcast media, as well as broader access to the Internet. Programs
emphasize training, business development, network and association
building, production support, and legal advocacy. Through the
Department of State, the Internet Access and Training Program provides
public access Internet centers and Internet training at 66 sites in 44
cities throughout Russia.

Last November, a new Russian-American Media Entrepreneurship
Dialogue was launched. The Newspaper Association of America and the
National Association of Broadcasters are working with Russian partner
organizations to explore ways to create conditions that allow an
independent, commercial media industry to flourish in Russia.

The Department of State will be initiating a new program this year
to partner the Moscow State University Journalism Faculty with an
American school of journalism. This partnership will advance the
education of future media professionals.

Human Rights and Democracy: Through the U.S. Agency for
International Development, a new program will advance our mutual
interests in promoting tolerance and understanding among our diverse
populations. A budget of $1.0 million will fund new partnership
initiatives to support Russian non-governmental organizations working
to promote tolerance, human rights, and religious freedom.

The U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Small Grants Program awards
grants of up to $24,000 to Russian NGOs for projects to enhance the
development of indigenous democratic institutions and practices. In
2002, this program will be expanded by 50 percent in order to provide
funding for initiatives to advance religious and ethnic tolerance.

The National Endowment for Democracy provides additional grant
support to promote political and economic freedom, a strong civil
society, independent media, human rights, and the rule of law in
Russia.

Health Cooperation: Health care professionals and hospitals from
across the United States have participated in partnerships with their
Russian counterparts, contributing to our critically important work in
health care and the battle to prevent and cure infectious diseases,
cardiovascular disease, and efforts to improve maternal and child
health. The U.S. Agency for International Development Health
Partnerships program is linking health care professionals and
institutions in eight American and Russian cities. The partnerships
are tackling such issues as infection control, clinical practice
guidelines, financial management, primary health care, women's health,
and asthma.

The United States and Russia have agreed to intensify cooperation
to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. In
three pilot sites in Russia, we are currently implementing health
education programs aimed at populations at high-risk for HIV/AIDS and
other sexually transmitted diseases. We have provided additional
funding for a fourth site that will operate in St. Petersburg and
Leningrad oblast. Joint programs for the treatment of tuberculosis are
now underway in three Russian oblasts, and will expand to a fourth
oblast soon. The United States and Russia have also pledged to address
the causes of the decline in the life expectancy of the Russian people
by combating heart disease, hypertension, and related behavioral
factors.